Archive notice: This article was originally published on September 8, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
MAGIX Video Pro X will be available exclusively from specialist retailers for €349.99. Owners of other MAGIX software or other video-editing programs can purchase MAGIX Video Pro X at the crossgrade price of €249.99. The software offers extensive functionality and flexibility in both its interface and workflows. Video Pro X imports footage from XDCAM camcorders and edits AVCHD material natively. Its new user interface, with source and program monitors plus a project bin, makes efficient work easier, as does consistent effect control using keyframes or Bézier curves. For audio post-production, MAGIX brings its audio expertise to the program and enables sample-accurate audio editing directly in the timeline.
Up to four camera recordings of events such as weddings, concerts or theater performances can be synchronized in multicamera editing. As a genuine innovation, video objects can also be placed automatically at the correct point in the timeline through audio analysis. The video can be burned to DVD or Blu-ray Disc in high image and sound quality with up to eight audio tracks.
Flexible interface, flexible source integration, flexible exportFE
The interface, with source and program monitors that enable direct comparison between original and edited video, is tailored specifically to professional requirements. The project bin provides an overview of all files and effects currently being edited. Every part of the user interface can be freely enlarged, reduced, moved or hidden, and individual configurations can be saved. All keyboard shortcuts can also be freely defined, which is particularly useful for users switching from other programs. The program’s timeline is flexible in another respect: all types of files—video, audio, text and photos—can be placed freely on any of its 99 tracks. The range of formats within those categories is also broad. Alpha-channel support allows files from compositing programs to be imported directly. The same applies to AVCHD files and formats including QuickTime, Windows Media, AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, JPEG, TIF, PSD and TGA. Other applications can be integrated through interfaces to VirtualDub, DirectX and VST, as can effects from proDAD. External hardware such as MIDI devices can also be integrated as master or slave. Flexibility is also central to export. In addition to the authoring and burning options mentioned above, high-quality MPEG-4/H.264/3GP output with AMR and AAC audio is possible. Batch processing is especially useful: one movie file can be converted into several other video formats, or several videos can be converted into the same format.
Detailed Work
Precision matters even more in professional productions than in home video. The flexible interface allows relevant preview and editing windows to be sized as required. Colors can also be modified precisely. Three-way color correction works like the other effect controls and can be changed over time using keyframes or Bézier curves. Titles, likewise edited simply as a track in the timeline, offer many options beyond the standard parameters. The integrated 3D Maker creates three-dimensional text animations. Camera shake happens even to professionals, and an efficient image-stabilization algorithm compensates for it with counter-movements. Precision also applies to audio. MAGIX provides a live audio mixer connected to a complete effects rack for individual tracks and a mastering rack for the overall sound, all also available in Dolby Digital 5.1.
The Most Important New Features at a Glance:FE
- Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound
- Integrated DVD-authoring module with up to eight switchable audio tracks.
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Blu-ray Disc output with animated menus and six-channel PCM surround sound.
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Open timeline: different formats without time-consuming conversion
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3D title effects with the integrated MAGIX 3D Maker module
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MultiCam editing: synchronize up to four camera recordings perfectly
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Sample-accurate audio editing
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Precise keyframe functions with Bézier curves
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Three-way color correction
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Video editing in native HDV format: edit HDV recordings with real-time preview in the unchanged original format and without any loss of quality.
Supports the import and editing of professional XDCAM material, for example from the Sony PMW-EX1
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Compatibility with common video formats: SD and HD formats including DV, HDV and AVCHD.
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Import and export of media formats including QuickTime, Windows Media, AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 (AVC), JPEG, TIF, PSD and TGA.
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Support for external plug-ins, including VirtualDub, proDAD Adorage/Vitascene and VST
